NSVRC Resources on Sexual Violence in Disasters

The NSVRC provides information and resources to assist organizations and communities in preventing and responding to sexual violence during and after disasters. Learn more below about the NSVRC’s publications and online resources, and the Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims.

Publications

The Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA) & the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) created this guide to help communities understand the connection between sexual violence and disasters and develop better disaster responses. The guide is arranged according to phases of a disaster. Recommendations range from small changes to comprehensive plans to far-reaching policy change.

Distributing these tri-fold cards in a disaster can send the message to all community residents – including potential victims, perpetrators, and bystanders – that sexual violence will not be tolerated and that help is available. The cards include space to add local resources.

Online Courses

Sexual Violence in Disasters: Understanding the Scope of the Problem[10]This interactive online course addresses the increased vulnerability to sexual violence that can occur during and after disasters. Participants will learn about the connections between oppression, sexual violence, and disasters. With case studies from Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, and examples from other recent calamities around the world, the module highlights the need for pre-planning to prevent and respond to sexual violence in future disasters. (~1 hour)

Sexual Violence in Disasters: Developing a Plan for Sexual Violence Prevention and Response[11]This interactive online course is designed to assist local and state sexual violence preventionists, victim advocates, and their community partners in creating pre-disaster plans for their organizations and communities. It highlights four core components of a pre-disaster plan to help organizations recover quickly and continue to provide vital services in a disaster. (~1 hour)

xCHANGE Podcasts

xCHANGE Podcast with Dr. Elaine Enarson (Part 1 - Research Base)[12]In this podcast, a leading researcher on gender-based violence in disasters discusses current research on the connections between sexual and intimate partner violence and disasters, and highlights the need for additional research. This is the first in a series of four podcasts from an interview with Dr. Elaine Enarson. (6 minutes)

xCHANGE Podcast with Dr. Elaine Enarson (Part 2 - Prevention)[13]In this podcast, a leading researcher on gender-based violence in disasters discusses steps that anti-sexual violence practitioners can take to prevent sexual violence in disasters, including disaster preparedness measures and collaborative efforts with disaster response coordinators and organizations. This is the second in a series of four podcasts from an interview with Dr. Elaine Enarson. (8 minutes)

xCHANGE Podcast with Dr. Elaine Enarson (Part 3 - Partnerships)[14]In this podcast, a leading researcher on gender-based violence in disasters discusses opportunities for anti-sexual violence advocates to partner with organizations and individuals who can play key roles in preventing and responding to sexual violence in disasters. This is the third in a series of four podcasts from an interview with Dr. Elaine Enarson. (6:45 minutes)

xCHANGE Podcast with Dr. Elaine Enarson (Part 4 - Future Directions)[15]In this podcast, a leading researcher on gender-based violence in disasters discusses her vision for future research, policy, and practice related to preventing sexual and gender-based violence in disasters. This is the last in a series of four podcasts from an interview with Dr. Elaine Enarson. (6 minutes)